Contact lens treatment apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus ( 100 ) for cleaning contact lenses is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a housing ( 110 ) having first ( 112 ) and second ( 114 ) housing sections which are joinable to form a chamber for receiving the lens. Each of the housing sections has an operative face ( 118, 120, 124, 126 ) facing the chamber formed for receiving the lens. A reactive layer ( 122 ) is provided on a portion of each operative face and the operative faces and the reactive layers are dimensioned and arranged whereby the reactive layers come into engagement with respective surfaces of a lens ( 155 ) positioned therebetween when the first and second housing sections are joined together. A portion of at least one of the operative faces is recessed relative to the other operative face to define an open volume within the chamber when the first and second housing sections are joined together. The first and second housing sections can be constructed to be in fluid communication when the apparatus is in an opened position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method fortreating contact lenses. More particularly, the invention is directed toa stand-alone apparatus and method for using same by which contactlenses can be cleaned. In a particularly advantageous form, theapparatus is single-use and disposable, and comprises a housingincluding a pair of closable liquid sealed containers sized and shapedto accept and retain a lens therein such that the lens is brought intocontiguous wetted contact with a reactive layer during the treatmentprocess.

Contact lenses have come into wide use for correcting a wide range ofvision deficiencies or cosmetic use. Typically, such lenses are formedfrom a thin transparent plastic material shaped and dimensioned to fitover the cornea of the eye. The lenses have an optical surface thatincludes a concave interior first optical surface for contact with theeye, an opposed and optically associated convex exterior second opticalsurface, and a surrounding edge. The two surfaces together define acorrective lens medically prescribed for a particular eye.

Depending on the polymer material used to construct the lenses, thelenses may be either “hard” or “soft”. Hard contact lenses, which arecomparatively more rigid, are typically formed from a relativelyhydrophobic material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Softcontact lenses, which are comparatively more pliant, are typicallyformed from a relatively hydrophilic polymer such ashydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), which has the property of being able toabsorb and bind a proportionately large amount of water within thepolymer network. Soft contact lenses formed from such hydrophilicpolymers, when hydrated, are more comfortable to wear than hard lensesbecause they conform better to the cornea of the eye and cause lessirritation when worn for extended periods. For this reason, the greatmajority of contact lenses presently being prescribed are of the softtype.

Unfortunately, soft contact lenses while being worn may collectcontaminants from the eye and its environment. These contaminants, forexample, may include proteins and lipids, including denatured ones, fromthe tear fluid of the eye, and foreign substances such as cosmetics,soaps, airborne chemicals, dust and other particulate matter. Unlessperiodically removed, these contaminants may cause abrasion to thesurface of the eye, may impair the visual acuity of the lens, and mayserve as a nutrient media for potentially harmful microorganisms.

Furthermore, for wearing comfort it is necessary that soft contactlenses be maintained uniformly wetted at all times. While on the eye,the moisture content of the hydrophilic material of the lenses ismaintained by tear fluid. However, when the lenses are removed for anextended period, as for cleaning or while sleeping, the lenses may dryout and become irreversibly damaged unless they are externally hydrated.

Consequently, various apparatus and methods have been developed forcleaning and hydrating soft contact lenses. For example, cleaningapparatus has been provided wherein the lenses are submersed in avariety of liquid cleaning agents, such as surfactants, oxidants,disinfectants, enzymatic cleaners, or abrasives. Other cleaningapparatus has been provided which included mechanically operated orelectrically powered components for vibrating, rotating, abrading,scrubbing, heating, agitating, subjecting to ultrasonic energy, orotherwise mechanically manipulating the lenses to enhance the cleaningaction of the cleaning agent.

Such prior apparatus and methods have not been entirely satisfactory forvarious reasons, including lack of cleaning effectiveness with respectto certain of the various contaminants found on the lenses, undesirablecomplexity, excessive time required for use, harshness to the lensmaterial, and dependence on an external power source.

One apparatus which overcomes these shortcomings is described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,657,506, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein. The apparatus utilizes a two-piece lens container wherein theexposed surfaces of two sponge members, wetted with an opthalmologicallycompatible solution, and each having thereon a reactive layer formed ofa highly porous non-abrasive relatively polymeric material such aspolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are brought into compressive engagementwith the optical surfaces of an interposed contact lens whereby thereactive layers cause contaminants to migrate from the lens to thereactive layers. Alternate apparatus are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,138,312, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention is directed to alternate constructions from thosedescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,657,506 and 6,138,312.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea new and improved apparatus for cleaning contaminated contact lenses.

It is a more specific object of the invention to provide an apparatusfor cleaning contaminated contact lenses which is simple to use andeconomical to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disposablesingle-use apparatus for cleaning contaminated contact lenses havingclosable liquid-sealed container within which the lenses are containedwhile being cleaned.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a self containedapparatus for cleaning a contaminated contact lenses wherein the opticalsurfaces of the lenses may be received in a wetted environment incontiguous contact with a reactive medium whereby lenses can begenerally cleaned without the application of abrasive force (e.g.without the force caused when rubbing the lens by hand).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to an apparatus for cleaning contact lenses ofthe type having a pair of opposed optical surfaces, comprising anon-abrasive reactive surface operative when in contact with the opticalsurface of the lens to reduce contaminant matter on the lens, thereactive surface being wetable and shaped for generally contiguousengagement between the optical surface and the reactive surface. In oneembodiment the apparatus comprises a housing having first and secondhousing sections which are joinable to form a chamber for receiving thelens. Each of the housing sections has an operative face facing thechamber formed for receiving the lens. A reactive layer is provided on aportion of each operative face and the operative faces and the reactivelayers are dimensioned and arranged whereby the reactive layers comeinto engagement with respective optical surfaces of a lens positionedtherebetween when the first and second housing sections are joinedtogether. A portion of at least one of the operative faces is recessedrelative to the other operative face to define an open volume within thechamber when the first and second housing sections are joined together.The open volume is capable of retaining an ophthalmologically compatiblesolution within the apparatus thereby providing a location for excessfluid to well without leaking from the apparatus. Preferably theoperative faces are comprised of a compliant material and morepreferably they are comprised of a compliant and absorbent material. Thecompliant material can take a variety of forms and, for example, can bemade from fibrous cellulose material, a sponge material and/or a thinfilm such as a metal foil material to name a few. The first and secondhousing sections can be constructed to be in fluid communication whenthe apparatus is in an opened position to, for example, encouragedrainage of fluid from one section to the other section. The apparatuscan be constructed to be deformable, in whole or part, to provide areduced volume inside the apparatus. These and other features of theinvention are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with the further objects and advantages thereof,may best be understood by reference to the following description takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures ofwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a lens cleaningapparatus in accordance with the present invention in a partially closedposition.

FIG. 2 is an exploded cross-sectional view of the lens cleaningapparatus of FIG. 1 in a folded over (closed) position taken along line2—2 of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lens cleaning apparatus of FIG.1 taken along line 3–3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the lens cleaning apparatus of FIG.1 in a closed position.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a lenscleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a lenscleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lower half of another embodimentof a lens cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lower half of another embodimentof a lens cleaning apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1–4, show an embodiment of a lenstreatment apparatus 100 in accordance with the invention and is seen toinclude a container 110 having an upper body section 112 and a lowerbody section 114. Preferably the upper and lower body sections arejoined together by hinged portion or fold line 116 which can take anysuitable form. For example, hinge or fold line 116 can be a livinghinge. The interior of the upper body section 112 includes convexsurface portions 118 and 120. A layer of reactive material 122 coversconvex portions 118 and 120. The interior of lower body section 114includes concave surface portions 124 and 126. A layer of reactivematerial 122 covers concave portions 124 and 126.

Convex portions 118 and 120 and concave portions 124 and 126 aregenerally dimensioned and positioned to cooperatively engage contactlenses 155 placed in the container 110 when the container is closed.Preferably, the interior of lower body section 114 includes a recessedportion 128 surrounding the concave portions 124 and 126 for holding anopthalmological compatible solution which solution can be prepackagedwith the apparatus or placed in the apparatus prior to use. When contactlenses are placed in the apparatus for cleaning and the apparatus isclosed, solution flows around the reactive layers 122 providing a fluidinterface between the optical surface of the lens and the contactingsurfaces of reactive layers 122, respectively.

The container body 110 can be constructed from any suitable material andcan be constructed for single use or repeated use applications. Forexample container body 110 can be constructed from polymeric materials,including synthetic polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene,polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate and other similarmaterials and can include common additives including, but not limitedto, fillers, pigments and plasticizers. Container body 110 can also beconstructed from natural materials such as cellulose. For example, apreferred material for container body 110 is a fibrous cellulose whichis compliant and absorbent.

When using an absorbent material such as fibrous cellulose for containerbody 110 it may be desirable to treat or coat the exterior of containerbody 110 to provide the container with a moisture impermeable barrier toprevent leakage of the solution from the container. For example, a waxcan be applied to the exterior of an absorbent container body such as acellulose container body to provide a moisture barrier. Alternatively, aplastic coating or metal foil can be applied to the exterior of such acontainer body to provide a moisture barrier. Alternatively, containerbody 110 can be constructed from a moisture impermeable shell such as ashell made from a synthetic polymer and an absorbent cellulose insertdimensioned to fit within such shell.

Convex portions 118 and 120 and concave portions 124 and 126 can beformed directly in container body 110 or can be in the form of insertsfor container body 110. The reactive layers 122 also can be supplied ina variety of ways. For example, convex portions 118 and 120 and concaveportions 124 and 126 can be made from an absorbent cellulose materialand reactive layer 122 can be provided directly to the surface of suchportions, 118, 120, 124 and 126. Reactive layer 122 can be constructedfrom a variety of reactive matter including matter having a higherphysical or chemical affinity for the contaminants relative to thematerial of the lens, and from matter having active sites such asenzymatic sites for cleaning and thereby facilitating removal ofcontaminants from the lens.

Alternatively, reactive layer 122 can take the form of a separate sheetor film such as a sheet or a film of PTFE or of a solid phase havingenzymatic matter bound to it such as a cellulose paper which is coatedwith enzymatic matter. The cellulose paper can be in sheet form which ispre-applied to the external surfaces of the interior of container body110 or in sheet form which is supplied separately for insertion intocontainer body 110. It will be appreciated that such sheet form can beprovided in different sizes and configurations to enable ease of use andaccommodate economy concerns.

For example, reactive layer sheets 122 can be sized to fit within thecontainer body 110 and entirely coated with reactive matter to guardagainst misalignment of the sheets when inserted into the container bodyrelative to the location of convex and concave portions 118, 120, 124,and 126. Alternatively, the sheets can be sized to fit within thecontainer body and the coating of reactive matter can be limited tothose areas of the sheet designed to align with convex and concaveportions 118, 120, 124, and 126. Alternatively, reactive layer 122 canbe a solid phase having bound reactive matter, such as an enzyme coatedcellulose paper, in “button” form which is sized and dimensioned fordirect placement on convex and concave portions 118, 120, 124, and 126.

During use, the user places the contact lens to be cleaned on reactivelayer of the first body section. The second body section is then foldedover the first body section. As shown in FIG. 4, when the apparatus isclosed the reactive surfaces of the first and second body sections arebrought into contiguous engagement of the optical surfaces of a lens.The second body section and the first body section are held together theclosed arrangement through a releaseable latch and when latched togetherthe first and second body sections preferably form a fluid tighthousing. For example, lower body section 114 can be formed to include aledge 119 which engages a complimentary shaped resilient protrusion 117formed in upper body section 112 to maintain lower body section 114 andupper body section 112 in a liquid sealed condition for containingliquid within the container. One or both of lower body section 114 andupper body section 112 can include a tab 121 to facilitate opening andclosing the container. As shown in FIG. 4, when the first and secondbody sections are brought together there is a conforming contiguouscontact between the optical surfaces of lens and the respectivecontacting reactive layer surfaces and there is a defined volume insidethe chamber capable of holding excess ophthalmological fluid.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a lens treatment apparatus 140 inaccordance with the present invention including a container 150 havingan upper body section 152 and a lower body section 154 flexibly joinedtogether by spine 156. Upper body section 152 and lower body section 154are recessed forming chambers 158, 160 respectively, with lower chamber160 having a greater depth than upper chamber 158. A sponge material 162dimensioned to fit snugly in chambers 158 and 160 is positioned incontainer 150.

The sponge material 162 has an upper body portion 164 and a lower bodyportion 166 joined together by spine portion 168 so that upper bodyportion 164 and lower body portion 166 are in fluid communicationthrough spine portion 168.

The sponge material is provided with generally convex surfaces 118 and120 and generally concave surfaces 124 and 126 over which is a thinlayer of reactive material 122. Prior to use of the apparatus 140,sponge material 162 is preferably moistened with an opthalmologicallycompatible solution. The solution can be prepackaged with the apparatusor placed in the apparatus prior to use.

The apparatus is opened to receive contact lenses for cleaning. Whencontact lenses are inserted in the apparatus for cleaning, the apparatusis closed by the user and the accompanying compression of spongesections 164 and 166 causes solution absorbed therein to flow around theends of reactive layers 122 and around and under the lenses providing afluid communication interface.

Preferably lower section 160 has a recessed section to form a well orinternal collection chamber 170 for the opthalmologically compatiblesolution to retain excess fluid and to mitigate against fluid seepingout of the apparatus. After use the apparatus is opened and the lensesare removed. When left open, fluid retained in upper sponge body portion164 is drawn to lower sponge 166 through sponge spine portion 168 due tothe difference in the relative fluid retaining capacities of uppersponge body portion 164 and lower sponge body portion 166 and gravity.In particular, because of the depth of recess forming chamber 158relative to the depth of chamber 160, lower portion 166 has a greaterfluid retaining capacity than upper section 164 due to its greatervolume.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a lens treatment apparatus 200constructed in accordance with the present invention including acontainer 210 having an upper body section 212 and a lower body section214 flexibly joined together by spine 216. Upper body section 212 andlower body section 214 are recessed forming chambers 218, 220,respectively. A sponge material 222 dimensioned to fit snugly in chamber218 is positioned in container 210. A sponge material 224 dimensioned tofit snugly in chamber 220 is positioned in container 210. Upper sponge222 is dimensioned to have a greater depth than the depth of uppersection 218, that is sponge 22 is oversized relative to the depth ofsection 218, and sponge section 224 is dimensioned to have a depth lessthan that of lower section 220, that is it is undersized relative to thedepth of section 220. Sponge 222 and 224 are dimensioned so that theirrespective depths are complementary so that when apparatus 200 is in aclosed configuration sponge 222 and sponge 224 are in a relativelycompressive configuration with respect to each other. Sponge 222 isprovided with a cooperatively aligned, generally convex surface 118 andsponge section 224 is provided with generally concave surface 124 overeach of which is a thin layer of reactive material 122. Upper section218 is provided with inwardly deformable portions 226, 228 and lowersection 220 is preferably also provided with inwardly deformableportions 230, 232.

Prior to use of the apparatus 200, sponge 222 and 224 are preferablymoistened with an opthalmologically compatible solution. The solutioncan be prepackaged with the apparatus or placed in the apparatus priorto use. The apparatus is opened to receive contact lenses for cleaning.After the contact lenses are inserted in the apparatus for cleaning, theapparatus is closed by the user. The user then depresses inwardlydeformable portions 226, 228, 230 and 232 and the depression of thosesections together with the compression of sponge 222 and 224 causessolution absorbed in sponges 222 and 224 to flow around the ends ofreactive layers 122 and around and under the lenses providing a fluidcommunication interface. Preferably inwardly deformable portions 226,228, 230, and 232 are generally irreversibly deformable to promotedisposal of the unit after use. The differential in height between lowersection 220 and lower sponge 224 forms a well or internal collectionchamber 234 for the optimologically compatible solution to retain excessfluid and to mitigate against fluid seeping out of the apparatus duringuse or when the apparatus is opened. While apparatus 200 has been shownto include a single convex portion 118 and a single concave portion 124,it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a plurality ofconcave and convex portions can be provided so that apparatus 200 can beused to clean more than one lens at one time.

FIG. 7 shows the lower half of another embodiment of a lens treatmentapparatus 250 in accordance with the present invention including acontainer 260 having cooperative upper body and lower body sectionsjoined together by a hinged portion or fold line similar to theconstruction shown for apparatus 100 in FIG. 1. While the followingdiscussion of FIG. 7 is directed to the configuration of the lower bodysection of apparatus 250, it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that the upper body section will be constructed in a complementarymanner to cooperatively provide a working lens treatment apparatus. Withspecific reference to FIG. 7, apparatus 250 is seen to have a lower bodysection 260 having an interior portion 262. The interior portion 262 oflower body section 260 is formed to have a concave recessed portion 264surrounded by shoulders 266. A relatively thin layer or film ofcompliant material 268, such as a deformable metal foil is adhered toand supported by shoulders 266. Compliant layer 268 spans recess 264,and partially or fully covers recess 264. A layer of reactive material122 covers the recess covering portion of compliant layer 268. A pocket270, filled with air or other highly compliant matter, is formed betweencompliant layer 268 and recess 264 which provides a compliant cushionfor a lens placed into apparatus 260 for cleaning.

FIG. 8 shows the lower half of another embodiment of a lens treatmentapparatus 280 in accordance with the present invention. The embodimentshown in FIG. 8 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 8 differs from that shown in FIG. 7 in that thecompliant layer 268 is supported above, instead of on, shoulders 266 toensure the lens is cushioned regardless of its location on complaintlayer 268. In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, pocket270 also defines an interior volume within the chamber which can alsohold an opthalmologically compatible solution to provide a moistenvironment for reactive layer 122 and/or lens 155.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made thereto without departing from theinvention in its broader respects. In that regard, it will, of course,be appreciated that the features of the various embodiments can beinterchanged and combined to form lens cleaning apparatus within thescope of the present invention. For example, the lens cleaning apparatuscould be constructed with one section having a sponge member supportingthe reactive layer and the other section having a different compliantmaterial supporting its associated reactive layer, e.g. fibrouscellulose or a thin film such as a compliant metal foil. Additionally,it will be appreciated that the deformable case features illustrated anddescribed with reference to FIG. 5 can be incorporated in otherembodiments of the invention including, but not limited to, those shownin FIGS. 1–4 and 6 herein. Additionally, the lens cleaning apparatus ofthe present invention can be constructed to receive a single lens or aplurality of lenses. Accordingly, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A contact lens cleaning apparatus for cleaning contact lenses of thetype having generally opposed optical surface, comprising: a generallyrigid base member having a first portion and a second portion; a firstrecess forming a first chamber on a top surface of said first baseportion, said first chamber having an open end and closed end; a secondrecess forming a second chamber on said top surface of said first baseportion, said second chamber having an open end and a closed end; saidfirst and second portions being joinable so that said second baseportion can be positioned on said first base portion with said open endsof said chambers in general alignment; a first compliant materialcomprising a deformable metal foil disposed in said first chamber, atleast a portion of said first compliant material spaced apart from saidclosed end of said first chamber and having an operative face facingsaid open end of said first chamber; a second compliant materialdisposed in said second chamber, at least a portion of said secondcompliant material spaced apart from said closed end of said secondchamber and having an operative face facing said open end of said secondchamber; a portion of said operative faces each including a reactivelayer; said operative faces coming into compliant engagement when saidfirst and second portions are joined together whereby said reactivelayers come into engagement with respective optical surfacing of a lenspositioned therebetween.
 2. A contact lens cleaning apparatus as definedin claim 1 wherein a portion of said first compliant material issupported by a portion of said closed end of said first chamber and aportion of said second compliant material is supported by a portion ofsaid closed end of said second chamber.